Freddie Gray Prosecutors Hope To Force Another Officer To Testify

Officer Garrett Miller will most likely refuse to take the stand because of his right against self-incrimination.

A motion has been filed against an officer charged in the death of Freddie Gray to testify against fellow Officer Edward Nero.

The Huffington Post reports the motion was filed last Thursday (March 31) at the Baltimore City Circuit Court to have Garrett Miller testify at Nero’s trial, which will begin May 10. The order was filed since Miller will most likely refuse to take the stand because of his right against self-incrimination, says the report. Prosecutors dealt with similar issues in the case of Officer William Porter.

The motion comes after legal wrangling over prosecutors’ efforts to force officer William Porter to testify under limited immunity against the other officers while his own charges were pending. Porter’s manslaughter trial ended in a hung jury in December.

Maryland’s highest court ruled last month that Porter had to testify. Forcing testimony in a co-defendant’s trial was seen as unprecedented in Maryland.

The ruling was made in March requiring Porter to testify against Sgt. Alicia White and Officer Caesar Goodson. Both are facing manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office charges. Goodson, who was also the driver of the van, faces a second-degree murder charge.

Gray, 25, died from a spinal injury while in police custody in April 2015. Gray was handcuffed and shackled, but not placed in a proper seatbelt in the police van. His death sparked huge protests and unrest in Maryland.

A total of six officers are facing various charges of second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct. Miller and Nero have both pleaded not guilty to the charges.